Ryan Shawcross has turned down the chance to play for Wales and has pledged his allegiance to England, manager Chris Coleman has revealed.

Wales boss Chris Coleman has suffered a double snub ahead of the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign after Ben Turner and Ryan Shawcross both turned down the chance to join his squad.

Shawcross has pledged his allegiance to England, while Cardiff City star Turner has told Coleman he also has dreams of repesenting Roy Hodgson's side.

Shawcross has emerged as one of the most promising English centre-backs in the Barclays Premier League in recent years.

The 24-year-old, who was born in Chester, qualifies for Wales having spent five years of compulsory education in the country.

Coleman was looking to recruit the pair to boost Wales’ chances of qualifying for Brazil 2014, but the defender has his heart set on wearing the Three Lions of England instead.

“I went up to Stoke City this week and I spoke to Ryan,” the Wales manager said.

“I had a good conversation with him and he was very honest – his dream is to play for England.

“He is a good player and we want as many good players available to us as we can so it was disappointing, but I understood his reasons and I really hope he gets his dream of winning an England cap.”

The news that Shawcross has snubbed Wales will come as a relief to many, as his call-up to the Welsh team could have caused conflict within the camp because of the history between himself and Aaron Ramsey.

Ramsey’s leg was broken in six places in 2010 after a tackle by Shawcross, and even though the Stoke man apologised, the Arsenal midfielder’s attitude towards the defender’s possible inclusion in the national set-up was lukewarm at best.

Coleman also approached Cardiff defender Turner, who qualifies to play for Wales through his grandmother, but he also wants to pursue his dream of playing for England.

“Ben also sees himself as English,” said Coleman, who was speaking at the Vauxhall Road to Brazil 2014 media conference in London.

“I have known him a long time ever since he was a young centre back at Coventry, but there is no further conversation to have there.

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